News of the year: a look back at the breaking news and launches from 2013

Canon PowerShot N

January 7th

The PowerShot N stood out at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with a symmetrical design, tilting touchscreen and innovative system of lens rings. The twist lens ring can be turned in either direction to operate the zoom function, while a second ring is used as the shutter release, allowing the camera to be used any way up, even upside-down.

Jessops enters administration

Jessops enters administration

January 9th

The camera industry was left in shock earlier this year with the news of Jessops falling into administration. At its height, Jessops ran 192 stores nationwide and employed over 2,000 staff. Thankfully the brand was rescued by Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones who took the decision to retain the most successful stores on the high street and re-employ existing Jessops staff.

Metabones Speed Booster

Metabones Speed Booster

January 14th

This accessory has caused quite a stir and enables the use of SLR lenses on APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. In essence it’s the opposite of a teleconverter and rather than increasing the focal length and reducing the aperture, it decreases the focal length by a factor of 0.71x and increases the maximum aperture by one stop.

Olympus DSLR production

Olympus DSLR production

February 13th

In early February Olympus denied reports that it would be ceasing production of its DSLR cameras. In an official statement the manufacturer said there was no truth to the reports and that the company would continue to offer DSLR cameras alongside its expanding range of mirrorless models.

Nikon service advisory

Nikon service advisory

February 22nd

After complaints from photographers of dust and oil appearing on the surface of D600 sensors, Nikon belatedly acknowledged there were traces on some cameras and advised anyone with such problems to consult their nearest Nikon service centre. The direct replacement to the D600 – the D610 – features a new shutter mechanism to rectify the D600’s issue.

Instagram hits 100 million milestone

Instagram hits 100 million milestone

February 27th

Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has seen rapid growth. As of late February, 100 million users edit and share images via the app on a monthly basis. Instagram was purchased by Facebook in 2012 for $1 billion.

World’s Smallest & Lightest DSLR

World’s Smallest & Lightest DSLR

March 21st

Just when you thought DSLRs couldn’t get any smaller, Canon unveiled the EOS 100D. Approximately 25% smaller and 28% lighter than the EOS 650D, the 100D crams in an impressive spec within a body that measures 117 x 91 x 70mm and weighs 407g (body only). It picked up a 90% overall score and WDC Gold Award earlier this year in our full review.

Super-fast zoom for APS-C DSLRs

Super-fast zoom for APS-C DSLRs

April 18th

The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM broke new ground, for it’s the world’s first zoom lens to feature a f/1.8 maximum aperture throughout its focal length. It’s equivalent to 27-52.5mm on an APS-C DSLR with a 1.5x crop factor, and could suggest more faster zoom lenses are on their way from Sigma in the future. We’d love to see a 24-70mm f/1.8.

Sony Cyber-shot HX50V

Sony Cyber-shot HX50V

April 24th

To cram a 30x optical zoom inside a compact that’s small enough to slip inside your pocket is a great achievement. Equivalent to 24-720mm with a f/3.5-6.3 variable aperture, the HX50V became the world’s smallest and lightest camera with such an expansive zoom range.

Photoshop heralds subscription-only future

Photoshop heralds subscription-only future

May 6th

Adobe switched its Creative Suite services to a subscription based model and away from traditional one-off payment licences. In the months since the transition, Adobe claims it has signed up one million users – half a million of which were sold in the first quarter of the year before it was revealed users had no choice but to subscribe.

Canon launches 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x extender

Canon launches 200-400mm with built-in 1.4x extender

May 14th

Canon added the EF 200-400mm f/4 IS USM lens to its line-up in May, however it differs from most lenses with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter. By flicking a lever at the rear of the barrel the lens can be converted to a 280-560mm f/5.6 lens. Who knows, this might suggest Canon is looking to develop this into other telephoto zooms in the future.

Focus on Imaging trade show closes

Focus on Imaging trade show closes

May 31st

The organisers of Europe’s largest annual photographic trade show announced that Focus on Imaging 2013 was the last show of its kind, bringing the 24-year reign of the exhibition to an end.

Samsung announces Android system camera

Samsung announces Android system camera

June 20th

Samsung launched the world’s first interchangeable lens camera to operate the Android operating system. The Galaxy NX took its inspiration from Samsung’s Galaxy camera and enables users to upload images to social media, check emails and run apps directly from the camera.

Canon 70D with Dual Pixel technology

Canon 70D with Dual Pixel technology

July 2nd

The headline feature of Canon’s 70D was its brand-new 20MP Dual Pixel CMOS AF sensor. It splits every single pixel into two photodiodes for on-chip phase detection and delivers vastly improved autofocus performance in live view and movie mode. In addition, it adopts the 19-point AF module from the 7D and supports instant sharing and remote control via Wi-fi.

Nokia Lumia 1020 41MP smartphone is launched

Nokia Lumia 1020 41MP smartphone is launched

July 11th

Who would ever have thought they’d see a 41MP-imaging sensor on a smartphone?

Earlier this year, Nokia achieved just that by the announcing the Lumia 1020, a smartphone capable of capturing two files simultaneously: both a full resolution version and a 5MP version that’s more suitable for sharing.

Panasonic launches GX7

Panasonic launches GX7

August 1st

Panasonic made a statement at the launch of the GX7, saying it was the best Lumix model they’d ever released. After laying our hands on a sample and reviewing it we couldn’t disagree with the bold claim and it went on to beat the Olympus OM-D E-M5 in our head-to-head test the following month.

Sony reveals the QX10 and QX100

Sony reveals the QX10 and QX100

Sept 4th

In a year that’s been full of innovative releases, there have been some interesting designs such as the Sony QX10 and QX100. By using the lens and sensor technology from Sony compact cameras, the manufacturer has developed two modules that connect wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-fi.

OM-D line-up expands with the E-M1

OM-D line-up expands with the E-M1

Sept 10th

The release of the OM-D E-M1 makes it the flagship model in Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds line-up and the successor to the E-5 – a Four Thirds DSLR introduced in 2010. With on-chip phase detection, it’s compatible with traditional Four Thirds lenses when an MMF-3 adaptor is used and becomes a tempting proposition for Olympus DSLR users looking to upgrade.

SanDisk produces 256GB CF card

SanDisk produces 256GB CF card

Sept 12th

SanDisk announced the world’s first high performance CompactFlash card with a 256GB capacity. It boasts write speeds of 65MB/s, while also offering impressive transfer speeds of up to 160MB/s.

World’s first waterproof system camera

World’s first waterproof system camera

Sept 19th

We’re used to seeing waterproof compacts, but a fully waterproof Compact System Camera? Nikon has become the first manufacturer to produce the first of its kind. The AW1 is supported by two fully waterproof and shockproof lenses.

Sony announces A7 and A7R

Sony announces A7 and A7R

Oct 16th

Sony has recently become the first manufacturer to produce not one, but two full-frame mirrorless models. The Sony Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R differ in terms of their sensors and AF systems (see page 6 for more info) and are initially supported by three full-frame lenses, with the option to attach Sony a-mount lenses with an additional adaptor.

Panasonic unveils smallest Lumix ever: the GM1

Panasonic unveils smallest Lumix ever: the GM1

Oct 17th

Panasonic has released its smallest Lumix model to date – the Lumix GM1. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, it shares the same 16MP sensor as the GX7, offers silent shooting, Wi-fi and Full HD video recording.

Built-in Wi-fi on the Nikon D5300

Built-in Wi-fi on the Nikon D5300

Oct 17th

Nikon has finally introduced built-in Wi-fi to its latest DX-format DSLR, the D5300. This suggests all future Nikon DSLRs will receive the same built-in technology and should mark the end of having to purchase an additional Nikon WU-1a mobile adaptor.

Nikon DF gets inspiration from Film Era

Nikon DF gets inspiration from Film Era

Nov 5th

The Nikon Df adopts the same 16.2MP full frame sensor from the D4, while boasting a rugged construction that’s similar to the D800/D800E. Price at the time of launch was £2,749.